Point of View

Below is an excerpt from Amanda Gorman's inaugural poem. Gorman noted how the message changed after the violent attack on the Capitol. "I wanted it to be a message of hope and unity."

And yes, we are far from polished, far from pristine

But that doesn't mean we are striving to form a union that is perfect.

We are striving to forge our union with purpose,

To compose a country committed to all cultures, colors, characters and conditions of man.

And so we lift our gazes, not to what stands between us, but what stands before us.

We close the divide because we know to put our future first ~ We must first put our differences aside.

CCPHC Order - Masks are required indoors until further notice; 50% occupancy; parties limited to 10

Tuesday, 10AM - MML Legislative Conference, ZOOM; 4PM - Municipal Court

Wednesday, 10 AM Community Foundation, ZOOM; 5PM - Historic Preservation Commission, ZOOM

Thursday, 9:30 AM - COE Work Session, ZOOM

Friday, 7:30AM - Council Work Session, ZOOM

Parks & Recreation hires Jacob Riemann as Recreation Coordinator. Jacob starts 2/16.

CCPHC & Clay County Cities joined forces to set up a mass vaccination site on the Cerner Campus near NKCH. ES Hospital knows our community needs access to a site closer to home & has worked to create a vaccination clinic at Dr. Pickett's former Clinic, the site can accommodate 400 vaccinations/day. The site is perfectly set up to function as needed with adequate parking, all that is needed is the vaccine. On very little notice the Cerner site gets the go-ahead and worked Wednesday - Saturday. ESH also gets word with one day notice they will receive 240 shots on Friday. 50 City Police, Fire, Public Works & General Government employees received their 1st shot along with others from the community. So proud of ESH and what they continue to do for our community. Cerner Campus expects to receive 4500 units biweekly to operate on Thursday-Saturday; don't know the ESH site frequency, but they are ready on a moment's notice. Register on CCPHC site to get the vaccine.

Council approved: Agreement with Polsinelli to formulate a tax structure that enables the Hall of Waters to seek Historic Tax Credits for renovation costs; Purchase 4 Police Vehicles; Replace Sewer Camera; On-Call Agreements with Lamp Rynerson, Luebbert, & Pedrotti renewed for 1-year; appointment of Julea Wormsley to Housing Authority to fill unexpired term; Wellness Program Agreements with employers with 100+ employees & Community Center (ES School District & ES Hospital). and appropriations. Ordinance amendment to require tenant list be provided with occupancy license & inspections was tabled.

Agenda Items under development for the next Council Meeting include: DEP's Annual Report; Public Hearing & Ordinance to approve application to renew 5311 Funding for the bus system; Bid to grind yard waste; amended Golf Membership Rates & Green Fees; Resolution of Intent to Finance will start the process to refinance the Community Center & Golf Clubhouse, Ambulance Reciprocal Agreement, and Appropriations.

SCADA system at WTP redesigned to function properly [FUNDING: Water Rates] WHY? SCADA digitally monitors systems & water levels turning pumps/motors on/off as needed; disposed of Freon from 40 appliances received at recycling center [FUNDING: Refuse Rates]; WHY? appliance disposal requires Freon removal before receiving appliances; Wellness Café flavor featured this month is Chocolate Covered Strawberry; Community Center is featuring local restaurants with healthy menu items - Wabash, Ventana, Willow Springs have excellent healthy options; Police purchase laser ammo firearms training simulator; WHY? improve quick response in variable situations; IBTS is our back-up inspection option & provided inspections needed to cover staff absences this week; Communities of Excellence's Ethics & Inclusion Task Force is just getting started; we are impressed with the good work that will come from this group.

Thankful Thursday comments found on Facebook: Thankful for this little town of ours. In these trying times, please support as many shops, restaurants & businesses as possible!! Thankful for the ES Community Center. I feel so fortunate that we have this happy, safe place to see old friends and meet new people! Thankful for the street crews. Thankful for our great police officers. They are great!

Email: mmcgovern@excelsiorsprings.gov
Website: cityofesmo.com
Location: Hall of Waters, 201 E. Broadway, Excelsior Springs, MO 64024
Phone: (816) 630-0752